1st T20I, Colombo, September 10, 2021, 07:00 PM
South Africa
163/5(20.0ov)
Sri Lanka
135/6(20.0ov)
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Aiden Markram
Commentry
Right then! That is it from this game! An impressive victory from South Africa and they go 1-0 up in this 3-T20I match series. The 2nd T20I match will be played on Sunday, September 12 at 1900 local (1330 GMT). Do join us for that, till then take care and goodbye.
Keshav Maharaj, the South African skipper, is up for a chat. He says it was a brilliant captaincy debut for him. Adds that his teammates contributed really well and rose to the occasion. Adds that he hopes to seal a place in the playing XI in the T20 World Cup. Goes on to say, he grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lankan skipper, is up for a chat. He says, they should’ve maximized in the Powerplay and added some more runs in that period. Adds that he will definitely give a few more chances to the players before the T20 World Cup.
Aiden Markram has been adjudged as the MAN OF THE MATCH for his blistering knock. He says it’s something new that he plays in several roles. But he is glad that he is getting more game time. Adds, in conditions like these, he can certainly bowl as well and help his team whenever required. Mentions it a relief for all the guys who have been selected. On being selected in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Markram believes it has come as a relief for all the guys who have been selected.
... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the day, it was an excellent batting display from the Proteas. They had a good opening start and after that, it was Miller and Markram who gave the finishing touches. It turned out to be enough as their bowlers followed up with an incredible performance. Stay tuned for the presentation.
South Africa were brilliant with the ball. They were disciplined with their lines and lengths. Their spinners did the job for them and in the end, it was a comfortable win for them. They found it hard at the start of the innings to find the wickets. It needed a brilliant run out from Nortje and that opened the door for wickets. Apart from Dinesh Chandimal, everyone struggled to stay in the middle. He and Shanaka stitched a partnership but that never worried the visitors at all. Apart from Kagiso Rabada, everyone scalped a wicket apiece but in the end, it was a good outing for all of them.
Sri Lanka had a nervy start as the runs were not flowing in the start at the required pace. They were even given many chances as there were many drops but unfortunately, the batters could not make full use of it. Only, Dinesh Chandimal was battling out in the middle while at the other end the batters came and only put pressure on him as they were finding it hard to score. In the end, it was a batting recession for the host.
South Africa draw first blood and Keshav Maharaj conquests for the first time as a T20I captain. He is happy and so is the Protea dugout. South Africa go onto lead this 3-T20I match series by 1-0.
In over# 20
1
1
1
4
0
6
Kagiso Rabada 21/0(3)
19.6
1
A length ball, on off. Pushed to cover for a single. South Africa win by 28 runs.
19.5
1
A length ball, on off. Chandimal looks to pull it away. The ball takes the top edge and flies towards short third man but it falls short. The batters take a single.
19.4
1
A full toss and on off. Chamika Karunaratne pulls it across the line towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.3
4
FOUR! EDGY! A full-length ball, on off. Chamika Karunaratne throws his bat at it. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards third man. Boundary.
19.2
.
A slower, length ball, outside off. Chamika Karunaratne stays back and looks to pull it away but misses. The ball ends up with the keeper.
19.1
6
SIX! HUGE! A full toss, on the pads. Chamika Karunaratne hangs back and flicks it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. That is a top strike.
Kagiso Rabada to bowl the final over.
In over# 19
0
0
1
1wd
0
1
1
Anrich Nortje 29/1(4)
18.6
.
Full-length ball, outside off. Chandimal slashes it to point.
Home